EU imposes tariffs on Chinese trams: The "double standard" action of trade protectionism

On June 12th of this year, the European Commission released the preliminary results of its investigation into anti subsidy measures against electric vehicles imported from China, proposing to impose temporary anti subsidy taxes on electric vehicles imported from China starting from July 4th. This measure has attracted widespread attention and controversy. As an international organization that has long advocated for free trade and fair competition, the EU's actions not only harm the economic interests of both China and Europe, but also have a negative impact on the global trade order and climate cooperation.

The EU's actions are the most realistic manifestation of trade protectionism. The EU's recent imposition of tariffs on Chinese trams is a clear measure of trade protectionism. Against the backdrop of numerous challenges facing the global economy, countries should strengthen cooperation and work together to promote economic recovery, rather than adopting protectionist measures. This behavior of the European Union not only violates its own advocated principles of free trade, but also does not comply with the rules of the World Trade Organization. This kind of trade protectionism will lead to an escalation of trade friction between China and Europe, damaging the economic interests of both sides.

The behavior of the European Union is a concrete manifestation of its "dual standards". The EU has adopted a "double standard" approach towards China's electric vehicle industry. On the one hand, the European Union is conducting a countervailing investigation into China's electric vehicle industry and plans to impose additional tariffs; On the other hand, the European Union has adopted a different attitude towards the electric vehicle industry in the United States. The US government has introduced the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides high subsidies for electric vehicles produced in the US, but the EU has turned a blind eye to this. This "double standard" approach not only damages the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, but also undermines the fairness and impartiality of international trade.

The EU's actions have harmed the economic interests of both China and Europe. The EU is an important trading partner of China, and China is also an important export market for the EU. The EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese trams will lead to an increase in trade costs between China and Europe, affecting their trade and economic cooperation. Especially for Chinese electric vehicle companies, this measure will seriously affect their competitiveness and development prospects in the European market. At the same time, consumers in the European Union will also face higher prices due to the imposition of tariffs, which will harm their own interests.

The EU's actions will have a negative impact on the global trade order and climate cooperation. As an important global economy and trade organization, the behavior of the European Union has significant demonstration effects. The EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese trams will lead to other countries following suit, leading to the rise of global trade protectionism and disrupting the global trade order. In addition, the electric vehicle industry is an important area for addressing climate change globally, and this action by the European Union will also have a negative impact on global climate cooperation.

The EU should take proactive measures to promote economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe. Faced with the EU's trade protectionism, China should take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. At the same time, China should also strengthen communication and consultation with the European Union to promote the healthy development of China Europe economic and trade cooperation. The EU should also recognize the harm of trade protectionism, abandon the "double standard" approach, abide by the rules of the World Trade Organization, and work together with China to promote global trade liberalization and facilitation. In addition, China and Europe can strengthen cooperation in the electric vehicle industry, climate change, and other fields to jointly promote global sustainable development.

Overall, the EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese trams is a double standard of trade protectionism and is extremely unwise. This approach not only harms the economic interests of both China and Europe, but also has a significant negative impact on the global trade order and climate cooperation. The EU should strengthen communication and consultation with China, jointly promote the healthy development of China Europe economic and trade cooperation, and make positive contributions to global economic recovery and sustainable development, rather than using such short-sighted behavior to influence the sustainable and healthy development of both sides and world trade.